Combined Heat & Power

What is Combined Heat & Power?

Combined heat and power (CHP) technologies produce both electricity and steam from a single fuel at a facility located near the consumer. These efficient systems recover heat that normally would be wasted in an electricity generator, and save the fuel that would otherwise be used to produce heat or steam in a separate unit. Combined heat and power (CHP), also called cogeneration, is the simultaneous conversion of primary fuel into electrical/mechanical energy and useful heat which can be used for heating purposes or as process steam in industrial applications.

CHP offers dramatic advantages in efficiency and much lower air pollution than conventional technologies. A wide variety of CHP technologies generate electricity and meet thermal energy needs (direct heat, hot water, steam, process heating and/or cooling) simultaneously, at the point of use. By contrast, conventional generation of electric power throws away much of the heat generated in production, and conventional thermal energy generation often misses an easy opportunity to generate power.

While in conventional power plants between 45 and 65% of the energy contained in the fuels burned to produce electricity is dispersed in the atmosphere as waste heat, the efficiency of CHP production is up to 40% higher than separate production based on the same fuels. And the choice of fuels is almost unlimited. The fuel neutrality of CHP, which can use a wide range of different fuels from biomass to coal and gas, also contributes to a greater diversity in the fuel mix thereby further decreasing the dependency.

Building Integrated Cooling, Heat & Power For Cost-Effective Carbon Mitigation: Need for Carbon Reductions, Potential in Building Sector, What is BCHP? (building-based cooling, heat and power), The Technologies, Drivers of BCHP, Case Study Selection, Methods, Canada, United States, China, India. The most established of the BCHP technologies, diesel and gas-fired reciprocating engines, are
already used around the world, including in many buildings, but often in power-only mode. The key to unlocking the substantial carbon mitigation potential of BCHP technologies is to optimise fuel use by utilizing both the thermal and the electrical energy. In this way, BCHP can operate at efficiencies of 70% to 90%, displacing on-site boilers (used to
provide both heating and cooling) and grid-based electricity. When the displaced fuels are fossilbased, which is usually the case, BCHP becomes the major source of carbon reductions. When a gas-fired BCHP system is displacing coal-based electricity and/or heat, the carbon savings are
very significant . . . [READ COMPLETE PAPER pdf format]
cite: localpower.org

Federal Tax Strategies to Encourage the Adoption of Combined Heat and Power: Released 2001. . . . Since the late 1970s, a number of tax incentives have been used to promote investment in energy technologies. These have included both renewable energy and energy efficiency
investments, including CHP. These incentives often are intended to support new technological developments until they become cost competitive. These incentives typically have fallen into three general categories: investment tax credits (ITC), production incentives, and accelerated depreciation. While there are lessons to be learned by CHP proponents from past experiences with tax incentives, the state of the CHP market is
substantially different from the energy efficiency and renewable energy markets in the 1970s and 1980s. CHP is a mature technology that, except for market and regulatory barriers, is currently proven and cost effective. In this environment, modest tax credits have been shown to encourage investment when coupled with the removal of market impediments such as siting . . . [READ COMPLETE PAPER pdf format]
cite: R. Neal Elliott, Ph.D., P.E., aceee.org

Combined Heat and Power (CHP or Cogeneration) for Saving Energy and Carbon in Commercial Buildings: . . . estimate the energy and carbon savings for existing small-scale CHP technology such as reciprocating engines and two promising new CHP technologies - microturbines and fuel cells - for commercial buildings. In 2010 we estimate that small-scale CHP will emit 14-65% less carbon than separate heat and power (SHP) depending on the technologies compared. We estimate that these technologies in commercial buildings could save nearly two-thirds of a quadrillion Btus of energy and 23 million tonnes of carbon . . . [READ COMPLETE PAPER]
cite: Kaarsberg, T., R.Fiskum, J.Romm, A. Rosenfeld, J Koomey and W.P.Teagan. 1998. In Proceedings of the ACEEE 1998 Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, vol. 9, Washington, D.C.: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

Combined Heat and Power: Saving Energy and the Environment: 01 April 2001. What if a technology could cut energy costs by 40 percent, reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent, increase energy efficiency by 20 percent, and pay for itself in less than five years? Wouldn't manufacturers, universities, and other institutions rush to buy it? Wouldn't local, state, and federal governments support its increased use? Such a technology exists-we call it Combined Heat and Power or CHP-but it has received little recognition . . .
cite: by Tina Kaarsberg & R. Neal Elliott, nemw.org

Resources & Related Links

U.S. Combined Heat and Power Association: USCHPA is part of a coalition working in Congress to sustain funding for critical distributed energy research programs. Brings together diverse market interests to promote the growth of clean, efficient CHP in the United States. Their mission is to create a regulatory, institutional and market environment that fosters the use of clean, efficient CHP as a major source of electric power and thermal energy in the U.S.
cite: uschpa.admgt.com

Midwest CHP Initiative: Voluntary, ad-hoc action-oriented entity with a mission of leading the implementation of CHP technologies in support of DOE and EPA's goal of doubling CHP use by 2010 through: 1) coordination and regional collaboration of various stakeholder groups throughout the Midwest, including State Energy Offices, and environmental, industry, educational and government entities; 2) engaging the MAC to support completion of Initiative and Roadmap Actions.
cite: chpcentermw.org

Midwest Cogen Association: Promotes a greater public understanding of cogeneration, independent power production, and distributed generation. Works to improve general business conditions of the industry. Provides pertinent information for its members to conduct research, publish reports, and hold various seminars and workshops with the goal to advance the concept of cogeneration throughout the Midwest. Incorporated in 1984 and covers the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.
cite: cogeneration.org

ACEEE Combined Heat and Power and Distributed Generation: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy is a national leader in the renewed U.S. interest in Combined Heat and Power. CHP 5 Years Later: Policies and Programs, Certification of Combined Heat and Power Systems: Establishing Emissions Standards, Federal Tax Strategies to Encourage the Adoption of Combined Heat and Power.
cite: aceee.org/chp/

Distributed Energy Resources: CHP Initiative: Northeastern and Midwestern states enjoy few energy resources. The Northeast-Midwest Institute and Coalitions have advanced technologies and practices that enable the region's residences and businesses to use energy efficiently. DOE and EPA have set forth a goal of doubling the amount of CHP capacity in the U.S. by 2010. The intent of the goal is to increase the efficiency of the nation's power generation system by insuring that at least 46 GW of electricity generation capacity added over the next 10 years comes from new CHP plants. Most energy forecasts call for CHP additions of 4 GW or less over the next ten years . . .
cite: nemw.org

World Alliance for Decentralized Energy (WADE): Research and promotion organisation whose mission is to accelerate the worldwide development of high efficiency cogeneration (CHP) and decentralized renewable energy systems that deliver substantial economic and environmental benefits.
cite: localpower.org

EPA’s Combined Heat and Power Partnership: Voluntary program that seeks to reduce the environmental impact of power generation by promoting the use of CHP.The Partnership works closely with energy users, the CHP industry, state and local governments, and other stakeholders to support the development of new projects and promote their energy, environmental, and economic benefits.
cite: epa.gov/chp/

International District Energy Association (IDEA), 125 Turnpike Road, Suite 4, Westborough, MA 01581-2841, (508) 366-9339, Fax (508) 366-0019, idea@districtenergy.org. Promotes energy efficiency and environmental quality through the advancement of district heating, district cooling and cogeneration (also known as combined heat and power or CHP). Fosters the success of its members as leaders in providing reliable, economical, efficient and environmentally sound district energy services.
cite: districtenergy.org

European Organizations & Projects

NOTE: English translations were not available where there are no site descriptions.

Euroheat & Power: Aims for secure energy supplies in balance with environment. Promotes the advantages and benefits of Combined Heat & Power and District Heating and Cooling. Projects encompass the use of waste as heat source; use of renewable energies and efficiency in use of primary energies. Promotes and co-ordinates Europe-wide activities for the benefit of technological innovation, environmental awareness and for the continuing growth of the industry.
cite: euroheat.org

Combined Heat and Power Association (CHPA): The Combined Heat and Power Association works to promote the wider use of combined heat and power and community heating. Clean and efficient Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is already in use on close to 1,400 locations around the UK.
cite: chpa.org

Austrian Gas and Heat Associationv (FVGW): The Fachverband Gas Waerme (FVGW, the Natural Gas and District Heat Association) is Austria's independent lobby for all natural gas and district heat suppliers. District heat has established itself as one of the cleanest, most comfortable and environmentally friendly forms of space and hot water heating. Expanding district heat supply not only makes economical sense, it also helps to meet environmental policy goals.
cite: gaswaerme.at

Danish District Heating Association: Safeguards the interests of the Danish district heating plants and organize interplant cooperation. Handles contacts with the political system and authorities, besides cooperating with other organizations within the district heating sector. Member organization for 401 district heating plants throughout Denmark. The vast majority of these, 345 plants, are consumer-owned, while the remaining 60 are municipal plants. Together the members cover more than 1.2 million dwellings - half the population - with district heating.
cite: fjernvarmen.dk

Association for District Heating of the Slovak Republic: Influences social awareness and the legislative process in order to eliminate threats to the heating industry and to develop district heating systems in particular - [in response to] distorted prices of natural gas and electric power. Members generate and distribute a total of 23,911 TJ of heat per year and greatly contribute to the annual heat consumption in Slovakia.
cite: tzs.szm.sk